MACON, Ga. – Desmond Ringer, a graduating senior on Mercer’s men’s basketball team, has been named to the 2018 National Association of Basketball (NABC) Give Back Team, a prestigious group of 10 men’s college basketball players that are recognized for their outstanding community service efforts.

Ringer, a center from McDonough, Ga., is just one of five student-athletes from NCAA Division I that was named to the squad. The remaining five members represent NCAA Division II and III and NAIA Division I and II. The 10 honorees were selected from a group of 69 players nationwide nominated by college coaches and sports information directors across the country.

Ringer, who was named to the 2018 College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA) Academic All-District 4 team with 3.90 GPA, was a three-year starter for the Bears. His career field-goal percentage of 59.4 tops the Mercer charts for minimum of 240 made. He tallied 735 points and grabbed 481 rebounds during his career with the Bears and had single-game bests of 22 points and 12 rebounds.

“Des has been involved with multiple groups in our community that will make a positive and long-lasting impact on others forever,” said Hoffman. “He has utilized his God-given talents and abilities to serve the needs of others, which all of our student-athletes strive to achieve. Like so many of our other players, Des has gone the extra mile to do so many other things for the good of the community in addition to what our team already does collectively. We’re extremely proud of him and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Ringer and his Mercer teammates are extremely involved within the community. The team has participated in the Mercer Area Habitat for Humanity and made numerous visits to local hospitals and youth centers. The Bears also traveled to the Dominican Republic last summer as part of the University’s Mercer On Mission program, playing a series of games and participating in area community service projects throughout the area.